Fishing device

ABSTRACT

A fishing device, for use with a reel and rod combination having fishing line with attached terminal tackle, includes a base, an indicator device, a trigger mechanism, and a tine device. The base has a hole and slot configuration to allow a fishing line to feed through the base. The indicator device is coupled to the base and is configured to indicate the presence of a fish. The trigger mechanism is configured to cause the indicator device to pop up when the trigger device is activated. The line device attaches to the fishing line and is configured to activate the trigger mechanism. When a fish pulls on the terminal tackle, the line device activates the trigger mechanism that causes the indicator device to pop-up indicating to a user the presence of a fish.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present patent application is a. continuation and is related to andclaims priority from application Ser. No. 12/851,064, filed Aug. 5,2010, entitled “FISHING DEVICE”, which application is related to andclaims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/231,866,filed Aug. 6, 2009, entitled “FISHING DEVICE”, the contents of all ofwhich are incorporated herein by this reference and are not admitted tobe prior art with respect to the present invention by the mention inthis cross-reference section.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fishing device. More specifically,the present invention relates to an ice fishing device for use with anice fishing rod.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A fishing pole holder may be used to support fishing poles in a raisedposition during use. Thus, the need for the fisherman to handle the poleat all times may be eliminated. In ice fishing, conventional fishingpole holders include a spike for pounding into the ice to provide a polesupport, Other conventional fishing pole holders may be attached to anitem, such as a bucket, for pole support. Conventional fishing poleholders do not assist the fisher in keeping the hole in the ice fromfreezing or assist in keeping snow from drifting into the hole.Additionally, conventional fishing pole holders may freeze in coldconditions.

Fishing pole holders may also include an indicating device, which istriggered by movement of the fishing line to signal the presence of afish. One conventional indication may be a tipping up of the fishingpole. A conventional tip-up device for a fishing pole may include aspool of line. The spool of line is fed through a tip-up indicatingdevice such that when a fish pulls on the line the indicating device istriggered. When reeling in the line of a conventional tip-up device theline is pulled in hand-over-hand, which is a disadvantage to the fisher.Additionally, conventional tip-up devices place restrictions on the typeof line that may be used.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a base having a holeto allow a fishing line to go through the base. The apparatus alsoincludes an indicator device coupled to the base. The apparatus furtherincludes a trigger mechanism configured to cause the indicator device toactivate when the trigger mechanism is tripped. The apparatus alsoincludes a line device coupled to the fishing line and configured totrip the trigger mechanism.

According to another embodiment, a method of using a fishing devicehaving a base, trigger mechanism, an indicator device, and a line deviceincludes setting the base over a hole. The method also includes feedinga fishing line through the line device. The method further includesattaching the line device to the trigger mechanism. The method alsoincludes setting the trigger mechanism to hold down the indicatordevice.

According to a. further embodiment, a line device includes a loop. Theline device also includes a hook end connected to the loop, the hook endhaving a first and second slot.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present disclosure in order that the detaileddescription that follows may be better understood. Additional featuresand advantages will be described hereinafter which form the subject ofthe claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilledin the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may bereadily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structuresfor carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It shouldalso be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalentconstructions do not depart from the technology of the disclosure as setforth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed tobe characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization andmethod of operation, together with further objects and advantages willbe better understood from the following description when considered inconnection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expresslyunderstood, however, that each of the figures is provided for thepurpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as adefinition of the limits of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference isnow made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating a fishing deviceaccording to one example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating a fishing device according to oneexample embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a base of a fishingdevice according to one example embodiment,

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a base of a fishing device accordingto one example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a trigger according to one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a trigger mechanism accordingto one example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a line device according to oneexample embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a hook portion of a line deviceaccording to one example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a second arm portion of a rod holdingdevice according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a second arm potion of a rod holdingdevice according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a first arm portion of a rod holdingdevice according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a fishing device in a storedconfiguration according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the fishing device according to oneexample embodiment.

FIGS. 14-27 are drawings illustrating a fishing device according toother example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a fishing device for use with afishing rod and reel combo having fishing line and terminal tackle. Thefishing device may include a base, a trigger mechanism, a line device,and an indicator device. The indicator device may be, for example, aflag. During use, the fishing line may be fed through the line device.At an end of the fishing line, a jig, hook, or other terminal tackle maybe used. The line device may be attached to the trigger mechanism. Theline device may be configured to activate the trigger mechanism when afish pulls on the fishing line, such as by biting on the terminaltackle. The trigger mechanism may cause an indicator device to activateto notify a fisher that a fish is on the line.

A base for the fishing device may fit over an ice fishing hole such thatthe base may be supported by ice around a circumference of the hole.According to one embodiment, the base may be constructed from amaterial, such as plastic, that reduces the likelihood of the basefreezing to the ice. in another embodiment, the base may be constructedfrom a dark material to retain solar heat to reduce the likelihood ofthe base freezing in cold weather. In additional embodiments, the basemay include a wind deflector and/or solar warming devices. The base mayinclude a hole and/or slot for the fishing line to enter the water. Thebase may also include a rod holder for holding a rod or a rod and reelcombo. The base may further include a storage port for the rod holder.

Referring to FIG. 1, a fishing device 100 is illustrated by aperspective view according to one embodiment. The fishing device 100 mayinclude a base 110, a trigger mechanism 115, an indicator device 120,and a line device 125. Fishing line (not shown) from a rod and reelcombination 126 may be fed through the line device 125. The line device125 may be coupled to the trigger mechanism 115. The trigger mechanism115 may be in slideable engagement with the base 110 and hold down theindicator device 120. When a fish bites or pulls on the fishing line theline device 125 is pulled along with the fishing line. The line device125 then pulls or activates the trigger mechanism 115 to laterallyrelease the trigger mechanism 115 from the base 110. When the triggermechanism 115 is released from the base 110 the trigger mechanism 115releases the indicator device 120. According to one embodiment, theindicator device 120 pops up to indicate to a fisher a fish may bepresent on the fishing line.

FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating a base of a fishing device accordingto one embodiment. According to one embodiment, the base 110 may becircular. The base 110 may be, however, any suitable shape. The base 110may be constructed of an inexpensive, rigid material such as, forexample, polypropylene. According to one embodiment, the material of thebase 110 may be a dark color to retain solar heat. Retained solar heatreduces the likelihood of the base 110 freezing or sticking to ice.Additionally, the base 110 may be constructed with solar panels 210. Thesolar panels 210 focus additional sunlight below the base to reduce thelikelihood of the base 110 freezing or sticking to the ice. The solarpanels 210 may be, for example, a clear plastic material or anothersuitable material. The base 110 may be between 8 inches and 16 inches inoutside diameter. According to one embodiment, the base 110 may beapproximately 12.53 inches in outside diameter,

The base 110 may include a hole 215 and/or a slot 220. The hole 215allows a fishing line and terminal tackle (not shown) to enter the waterthrough the base 110. The hole 215 may be between 1 and 3 inches indiameter. According to one embodiment, the hole 215 is 2 inches indiameter. The slot 220 may facilitate larger terminal tackle by allowingthe fishing line to be slid through the slot 220 while the terminaltackle remains below the base 110. According to one embodiment, the base110 may include a wind deflector 225. The wind deflector 225 may reducelikelihood of the base 110 freezing and/or deflect blowing snow fromgathering around or in the hole 215.

The base 110 may include a trigger receiver 230 configured to receivethe trigger mechanism 115. Reference will now be made to FIGS. 3 and 4.FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the base 110, thetrigger mechanism 115, and the line device 125 according to oneembodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating the base 110 accordingto one embodiment. The trigger receiver 230 may include a receiver base305, a receiver loop 310, and a receiver hook 315.

The trigger mechanism 115 may include a trigger 320. Referring to FIG.5, a front view is shown illustrating a trigger according to oneembodiment. The trigger 320 includes a trigger loop 505 and a straightportion 510. The trigger loop 505 may be configured to engage with thereceiver loop 310 to retain the trigger 320 to the base 110. Thestraight portion 510 may slide under the receiver hook 315 to retain thestraight portion 510 under the receiver hook 315. The trigger 320 may bebetween 1 inch and 5 inches long. According to one embodiment, thetrigger 320 is approximately 2.32 inches, FIG. 6 is a perspective viewillustrating the trigger mechanism 115 according to one embodiment.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 5, the line device 125 may be slid ontothe straight portion 510 of the trigger 320 prior to sliding thestraight portion 510 under the receiver hook 315. When a fish pulls onthe fishing line, the line device 125 may be pulled, and the line device128 may pull the straight portion 510 of the trigger 320 out from underthe receiver hook 315. According to one embodiment, the indicator device120 may be held down by the trigger 320. Thus, when the straight portion510 of the trigger 320 is pulled out from under the receiver hook 315the indicator device 120 pops up to indicate a fish is on the line.

The indicator device 120 may include a pole 130, a flag 135, and aspring 140. The flag 135 may be attached to one end of the pole 130. Thepole 130 passes through or attaches to the spring 140 at the other endof the pole 130. The spring 140 and the pole 130 may be attached to thebase 110, while the flag end of the pole 130 may be unattached. Thus,when the straight portion 510 of the trigger 320 is pulled out fromunder the receiver hook 315 the spring causes the pole 130 to standstraight up along with the flag 115.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a plan view is shown illustrating a line deviceaccording to one embodiment. The line device 125 includes a line loop605 and a hook portion 610. The line loop 605 may be hooked around thestraight portion 510 of the trigger 320 shown in FIG. 5, Referring toFIG. 8, a plan view is shown illustrating a hook portion of a linedevice according to one embodiment. The hook portion 610 of the linedevice 125 may include a first slot 705 and second slot 710. The fishingline may be fed through the first slot 705 or the second slot 710 toretain the fishing line within the line device 125. The second slot 710may be approximately twice the size of the first slot 705 to accommodatelarger fishing lines. For example, the first slot 705 may be between0.02 inches and 0.06 inches, and the second slot 710 may be between 0.04inches and 0.12 inches. The line device 125 may be between 1 inch and 3inches long. According to one embodiment, the line device 125 may beapproximately 1.68 inches in length.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the fishing device 100 may include a rodholding device 150 attached to the base 110. The rod holding device 150may be constructed from a suitable material such as, fir example,polypropylene. The rod holding device 150 may include a first armportion 155 and a second arm potion 160. The first and second armportions 155, 160 may have a pivotal relationship to one another.Additionally, the first arm potion 155 may be coupled to the base 110 ina pivotal relationship. According to one embodiment, the second armportion 160 may include a longitudinal slot 165, The longitudinal slot165 allows the length of the rod holding device 150 to be adjusted tofit different rod setups and/or designs.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a second arm portion of a fishingdevice is shown according to one embodiment. The second arm portion 160may be between 6 inches and 18 inches in length. According to oneembodiment, the second arm portion 160 may be approximately 11.84 inchesin length. The second arm portion 160 may include a rod holder 905 forholding a rod and reel combination such as the rod and reel combination126 of FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a first arm portion of a fishing device isshown according to one embodiment. The first arm portion 155 may bebetween 6 inches and 18 inches in length. According to one embodiment,the first arm portion 155 may be approximately 11.88 inches in length.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a perspective view is shown illustrating afishing device in a stored configuration according to one embodiment.The rod holding device 150 may be folded and stored within the base 110.In particular, the base 110 may include a holder retaining device wherea center pivot joint between the first and second arms 155, 160 may beretained. FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the fishing device 100according to one embodiment.

Through way of example, a use of a fishing device is described withreference to FIGS. 1-13. A fisherman may place a terminal tackle on anend of a fishing line coupled to the rod and reel combination 126. Thefisherman hooks one of the first slot 705 or the second slot 710 of thehook portion 610 of the line device 125 onto the fishing line. Thefisherman slides the fishing line through the slot 220 and into the hole215, with the terminal tackle below the base 110. The fisherman feedsthe line loop 605 around the straight portion 510 of the trigger 320.The fisherman presses the indicator device 120 down and slides thestraight portion 510 of the trigger 320 over the indicator device 120and under the receiver hook 315. Thus, the indicator device 120 is helddown by the trigger 320. When a fish bites the terminal tackle, the linedevice 125 is pulled by the fishing line. The line device 125 pulls thestraight portion 510 of the trigger 320 out from under the receiver hook315, releasing the indicator device 120. The spring 140 causes theindicator device 120 to pop-up and the flag 135 stands up, indicating tothe fisherman that a fish is on the line.

FIGS. 14-27 are drawings illustrating a fishing device according toother example embodiments. FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating afishing device according to the second example embodiment. A fishingdevice 1400 includes a base 1410, an indicator device 1420, a pole 1430,a flag 1435, a spring 1440, a trigger mechanism 1415, a first arm 1455,and a second arm 1460. FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating thebase 1410 of the fishing device 1400. It is noted that in this exampleembodiment, the base 1410 does not include any solar panels. FIG. 16 isa perspective view illustrating the second arm 1460 of the fishingdevice 1400. FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the first arm1455 of the fishing device 1400. FIG. 18 is a perspective viewillustrating the pole 1430 of the fishing device 1400. FIG. 19 is aperspective view illustrating the flag 1435 of the fishing device 1400.FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the spring 1440 of thefishing device 1400, FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a plug1470 for the fishing device 1400. FIG. 22 is a perspective viewillustrating a trigger mechanism 1415 of the fishing device 1400. FIG.23 is a perspective view illustrating a bobberstop 1475 for the fishingdevice 1400. FIG. 24 is a top perspective view illustrating a fishingdevice 2400 according to a third example embodiment, FIG. 25 is a sideperspective view illustrating the fishing device 2400 according to athird example embodiment. FIG. 26 is a bottom perspective viewillustrating the fishing device 2400 according to a third exampleembodiment. FIG. 27 is a top perspective view illustrating the fishingdevice 2400 according to a third example embodiment.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been describedin detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutionsand alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, thescope of the present application is not intended to be limited to theparticular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, compositionof matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from thepresent invention, disclosure, machines, manufacture, compositions ofmatter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to bedeveloped that perform substantially the same function or achievesubstantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments describedherein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly,the appended claims are intended to include within their scope suchprocesses, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means,methods, or steps.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a base having a hole toallow a fishing line to go through the base; an indicator device coupledto the base; a trigger mechanism configured to cause the indicatordevice to activate when the trigger mechanism is tripped; and a linedevice coupled to the fishing line and configured to trip the triggermechanism.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator devicepops up when activated by the trigger mechanism.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the indicator device is configured to indicate apresence of a fish and when a fish pulls on a terminal tackle coupled tothe fishing line, the line device activates the trigger mechanism thatcauses the indicator device to pop-up indicating to a user the presenceof the fish.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rodholder coupled to the base for receiving a reel and rod combinationcoupled to the fishing line.
 5. The apparatus of claim .4, furthercomprising a pivotal extension arm for coupling the rod holder to thebase.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the base comprises a holdingdevice for storing the rod holder.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a wind deflector coupled to the base.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a solar panel coupled to the base.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a solar warming device coupledto the base.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the line devicecomprises a loop portion and a hook portion.
 11. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the indicator device comprises a spring, a pole, and a flag.12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base is substantially circularin shape.
 13. A method of using a fishing device having a base, triggermechanism, an indicator device, and a line device, the methodcomprising: setting the base over a hole; feeding a fishing line throughthe line device; attaching the line device to the trigger mechanism; andsetting the trigger mechanism to hold down he indicator device.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein when a fish strikes, the line devicetriggers the trigger mechanism causing the indicator device to indicatethe presence of a fish.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein causing theindicator device to indicate the presence of the fish comprises causingthe indicator device to pop-up.
 16. The method of claim 13, whereinattaching the line device comprises sliding a loop portion of the linedevice over a straight portion of the trigger mechanism.
 17. The methodof claim 16, wherein setting the trigger mechanism comprises: pushingdown the indicator device; and sliding the straight portion of thetrigger mechanism over the indicator device and under a hook portion ofthe trigger mechanism.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein setting thebase over the hole comprises setting the base over a hole in ice.
 19. Aline device, comprising: a loop; and a hook end connected to the loop,the hook end having a first and second slot.
 20. The line device ofclaim 19, wherein the second slot is approximately twice the size of thefirst slot.